Printing-press attachment



Jan. 22 1924. 1,481,495

H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

.; PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT ,bri inal Filed Oct. :50. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 22 1924.

1,481,495 H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT Original Fil a Oct. 30. 1920 '1 5m Jan. 22 1924. 1,481,495 I v H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT inal Filed Oct. 30. 1920 7 Sheeis-Shee-t e Jan. 22 1924. 1,481,495

* v H. A. AGRICOLA, JR

PRINTING PRESS ATTACHMENT.

Original Filed Oct. 30. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FEE @7210 71' ?atented Jan. 22, 1924s (STATES las es Par-ear GEEK-QB.

HERMAN A. AGEIGOLA, 33., OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, -ASSIGNOB 0F ONE-FOURTH TO JOSEPH E. LANE AND TWENTY-FOUR PEB- CENT'TOH. Y. GAFJBETL'BOTH 0]? AT- LANTA, 1 enoaem.

PRINTING-PRESS AT'Ih'iCii-HEENT.

Application filed October so, 1920, Serial. no. 420527. ReneWed me 20, 1923.

Tocllwhom it may concern: tie it. known that I, TTERMAN A. AGRICOLA,

Georgia. have invented certain new and usefulimprovements in Printing-Press Attaehments, of which the following is a specification. This inventionrelates for printing presses whereby multicolor work may be run off upcna press of any standard kind.

For its objects my invention aims to pro vide an attachment which is adapted to perform multicolor work in a simple, effective and=certain manner; an attachment which is simple and substantial in its. construction; and-an attachment for the purpose specified. which subservesin a satisfactory manner the usual requirements of a imachine intended for multicolor work. Qther'objects and usesof thisinvention are hereinafter set. forth in the specification whereinireterence is made to the accompany' ing drawinpswhich' exhibit a preferred em bodiment' of my invent-ion in association ivith a printing press in the manner tolp scribed. In the kind ofpress shown, the

lowing:

Figure l is a side elevation of'the .upper portion of a printing press of any conventional kind;

Fin. 2 isa tront elevation thereof;

lhg. dis a longitudinal section through the printing rollers taken on line 38 of Fig. 4 is a "fragmentary detail of the mountingfor one of the roller wheels;

.Fic'. 5 is a longitudinal section taken online 5' 5 of Fig. 7;: r p

,6 is a sectio al detail taken on line 6f6of Fig. 9; Figs; .7, 8, -and-9 are" transverse sections taken, respectively, on lines 7-7,.8-8, and

13.. a citizen oi the United States, residing at Atlanta, county of Fulton, and State of motion from to an attachment Mounted on the press are the usual rocker printing presses of different kinds, such,

for instance, ,as rotary, flat bed, etc. For purposes of=exemplification,- I have represented in land 2 ob press A pivoted to oscillate'about a horizontal axis through thenmedium ot a pitmanfB which derives .a suitable power source.

arms C arranged to oscillate about an axis D, the means for elfecting such oscillations' being of any suitable kind. These arms C which lie upon" opposite sides of the press are connected as by means of a plate E on which .18 carried a pairotbrackets 14: for pivotally supporting two links G which are adjustably connected as atH with rocker arms I vpivoted at J to swing upon a suitable brac-ket or support K. At the end of eachrocker arm opposite the connection H is a pivotal connection L with an arm to whichis secured a turnbuckle N which also connects with another, arn'i section 0. The parts thus connected are adapted to reciprocate upon the forward sidelot the press a carriage P whose construction in @detail will ,presentlybe defor instance, as circular, Or angular; or, in-

the case of a rotary press,relative. movement may obtain with the carriage remaining stationary. t

Mounted in the carriage are the parts coin-r posing sthlS invention, shown most comprehensively, perhaps, in Fig. 3. On each of the opposite sides of the bed of the press I arrange a guide block 20 recessed as at 21 to provide a shoulder, 22, the block being" formed on its Eopposite side with a rack 23. The carriage includes in its construction a pair of ends 24:eachrecessed to;

provide a seat 25, connecting bars 26 extending between the ends, as shown. In operative relationto .eadh :guide block are a, plurality of wheels 27 arranged in pairs on oppositesidesthereof, one pair of wheels lying; within the recess 21 adjacent the shoulder 22, and the other adjacent the proximate ends of the :teeth which form the rack23,; each of these wheels is suitably connected to the carriage as by means of a bolt 28, spacing blocks 29 being employed to maintain. the wheels a proper distance from each carriage end 24. By the means just described, the carriage is secured to the forward side of the press so as to be free for reciprocation thereupon.

Arranged within the seats 25 of the car .riage are two head plates 30 in which are mounted a plurality of systems of rollers, four being the number shown (see Fig. 7), each adapted to function in the printing of a distinct color. As each roller system is like the others a description of but one is necessary. Composingeach system are three rollers arranged in a row, and designated respectively as 31, 32, and 33 in the order of their distance from the bed of the press. All three rollers may be of solid construction, but the outer ones, 31; and 33, are covered by a tubing 34 of rubber, or some material which imparts to them properties similar to a composition coating. These three rollers are in frictional contact uch that they drive one another, and their ends are formed with trunnions that are journaledwithin suitable openings in bearing plates 36. Each system of three rollers is grouped with a second system by a hinge connection .37 between two of the bearing plates 36, this connection also extending to the proximate head plate 30 as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

At one end of the carriage the two bearing plates 36 are spaced apart-sufficiently to accommodate between them a train of gears best shown in Fig. 8. One gearis carried fast upon the end of each roller, making three altogether for each system, their designations being 38, 39, and 40, respectively, for the rollers 31 to 33 inclusive. The several rollers comprised in the two groups of systems are interconnected through an intermediate gear 41 which is mounted co axially with the hinge connection 37 between the bearing plates 36 so asto mesh with the proximate gears 38. This gear 41 is also engaged with another gear 42 which is mounted on the carriage and which is in mesh with the rack 23 so that as the carriage is reciprocated upon the guides 20,-all the rollers in the two groups of systems are positively driven through the medium of the gears 41 and 42.

.In association with the rollers that have beendescribed. I provide a means for supplying to each system of rollers a distinct color of ink. As best shown in Fig. 7, use

' is made of a block 45 which isarranged adjacent the several rollers 33 for the major portion of their length. This block is held in place between the bars 26 as by means of screws 46. Viewedfrom the outer side, as inFig. 2, this block presents a number of slots 47 each tapering inwardly toward the inner side of the block (see Fig. 7)

where it communicates with a circular groove 48 extending for something less than 180". The walls of each slot, furthermore, are disposed at unequal angles relative to the outer side of the block 45 so that each slot pointsgenerally in a downward direction as viewed from the outer side of the block. From this it results also that at the juncture of each slot with its associated groove 48 there is formed a sharp knifelike edge 49, the opposite edge being relatively blunt. The several grooves 48 are disposed for the length of the block and each is arranged to accommodate an inking roller50 that is mounted to revolve with its oppositecnds supported in the two head. plates 30. A recess 51 is also provided on the inner face of this block, one between each pair of inking rollers 50 so as to provide the necessary clearance for the proximate printing rollers 33.

Associated with the block 45 are other blocks 52, 53, and 54, the former intermediately of the two central rollers 50, and the other two to the outside thereof. The block 52 may be secured in place as by means of a bolt which connects with the block 45, while the other blocks 53 and 54 are held in position by bolts 56 which enter the bars 26. Each of the three blocks last described is formed with a circular groove 57 less than 180 in cross section and in complementary relation to one of the grooves 48. in the block 45, so as to provide a surface extending around each of the inking rollers for most of its periphery.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 15 inclusive,

it will be notedthat the inner faces of the blocks thus surrounding the inking rollers are formed with certain cuts 58 to provide parallel channels which run obliquely and cross-wise of the longitudinal grooves 48 and 57. Inthe case of the block 45 these cuts are intercepted by the longitudinal slots 47. but otherwise are similar to those in the other blocks, and preferably the depth of each cut is such as to provide a flat bottom (see Fig. 15) that is substantially tangent to the associated groove 48 or 57, as the case may be. When the blocks 52, 53, and 54 are assembled upon the outer block 45, the angular relation of the grooves 57 are reversed so that the surfaces which lie against the inking rollers 50 present a plurality of grooves, some disposed one way and some the opposite way, as indicated a gear 63 that is mounted on the carriage with its teeth in mesh With the rack 23.. A similar train of gears. is. used for each of the inking rollers. except thata single train is provided for the two intermediate ones, the gear 61 being. in mesh with each of the two proximate. gears 60. It will now be apparent that. I have provided means not only for positively rotating the inking rollers, but. for rotating at the. same time the printing rollers which are operatively re.- lated thereto.

In addition to themechanisms described, means are provided for delivering at desired intervals a regulated supply of ink to each system of printing rollers from the inking roller associated therewith. As best shown in Fig. 2, the'bed of the press carries achase frame 65.which provides a mounting for the form or type. The side rails of the chase frame are each formed with a plurality of grooves 66- preferably undercut. in eachv ofwhich is .mounted a track 67, as best shown in Fig. 3, these tracks in each rail corresponding .in' numberto the systems of inkingirollers that are mounted in f the. carriage... By formingeach track with a dove-- tailed-or enlargedbase which interlocks With. the undercut groove.. it maybe moved thereinonly in anendwise direction. Each groove is shownto terminate as at 68 (see,

2), thusprovidinga, stop which limits sliding movements of the track in one direction, and removable stop means are also provided atithe other end of the chase frame comprising a plate 69 detachably secured in place and arranged-to overlie the proximate ends 'ofcthe grooves adjacent thereto.

By reference, to Fig. 8, wherein a portion of the guide block 20. is. broken away, it will'be notedithat the contact face of' the track; 67- is depressed as at 70. for a desired distance. These depressions willoccur ac cording to a prearrangedplan so as to have the effect of cams in shifting the form roller toward and from the bed of the press, and for eaohtrack so formed there will be an exactfduplicate on the opposite side of the chase. Co-operating with eachtrack is a -wheelr7l that is mounted on the printing roller, 31, this wheel being adapted to ride.

upon the surfaceof the track and to drop into each depressed portion therein. Each of these wheels may be mounted inplace in some such manner asis suggestedin Fig. 4 wherein the printing roller is provided with ashoulder .72 formed by reducing the diameter of the roller for adesired distance, the

wheel "71- being held against the shoulder as by. meansof a sleeve 73 which is fitted tightly oyer thereduced portion of the roller. In this manner each wheel may freely revolve, but-may notshift its position upon its associated roller.

It will, be noted that each roller 3 1 1:;

equipped with two wheels 71, one near each end, and each arranged to ride upon com panion tracks. Owing to the fact that the is of large diameter as compared with the) roller upon which it is mounted, I have formed in the adjacent roller 32 an annular recess 75 (see Fig. 3) for the accommodation of the wheel. In this manner the parts are permitted to operate in their intended relation without interference.

The bearing plates 36, as already explained, are hinged two of them together so as to co-relate two systems of printing roilers. Normally the free ends of these plates 36 are held apart through the medium of springs 76 (see Fig. 9) having one end of each connected to the head plate 30, and theother end to the proximate bearing plate 36. The effect of this arrangement is normally to hold each system of rollers swung over in position to maintain contact between the inking roller 33 and the, proximate printing roller 50, thus obtaining a constant transfer of ink therebetween.

-The operation of the mechanism herein.- before described'is substantially as follows:

First of all the press is equipped with a reciproeable carriage, having suitable guides and racks to co-operate therewith. lVithin the chase is secured the form or type to which the different-colors are to be applied, the lettersW, X, Y, and Z, in Fig. 2, representing various portions of the type each adapted-to recelve a dlfi'erent color. Each of the slots4t7 within the block is then filled with adesired color of-printers ink,

and from these slots the ink is taken onto the rollers along. which it is evenly distributedthrough the aid of the grooves 48' and 57 which are reversely inclined. The roller having a rotary motion, and'the ink slots being cut at an angle and remaining stationary, these grooves act as a knife in theIusual form of ink fountain. The roller having one motion on the ,downwardstrokc of the carriage reverses thismotion on the upward stroke. For thisreason the sharp edge 49 acts as a knife on one motion, the

slot serving as a receptacle waste groove on the reverse motion, carrying the overplus, if any, back and away from the roller. In this manner the spread of ink is controlled by the roller to the required film desired, making. it certain that the distribution of ink is uniform and controlled at all times.

In the operation of the carriage each roller system is independently tilted to prosent the outermost printing roller in contact with the inking, roller 50 and at the same time to shift the printing or form roller 31 into contactwith a desired portion of the type. These two ends are accom: plished simultaneously by the means which &

with the associated ink roller 50, and also away from the face of the type. This re sults from the fact that each roller system is hinged to swing about the axis of the gear 11, the force which induces such tilting proceeding from a point which is ahead of this hinged connection.

It is important to note that the three peculiarly constructed in that the two which lie to the outside are coated with rubber or a composition material, while the surface of the intermediate roller is metallic. In the operation of the carriage the ink which is transferred from the inking roller 50 to the proximate printing roller 33 is distributed therefrom by compression to the metal roller 32, which further equalizes the film of ink as it is deposited upon the form roller 31. This makes a perfect distribution, theoretically, because the ribbon or film of ink is first cut by the criss-cross grooves in the blocks surrounding the inking roller, and then deposited onto the printing rollers by contact. As the inking roller and printing roller 33 are running in opposite directions, the ink is reduced to a film; from-this inking roller to the metal or control roller 32 and thence to the form roller 31, the ink is compressed and distributed during the process of transfer. The film or ribbon of ink at this point is controlled to the required thickness of the film necessary to obtain good printing, whether the form be a light one or heavy one, and the film is uniform by reason of the rotary motion of the form roller 31 against the control roller 32which revolves against the composition roller, this in turn revolving against the supply or ink roller 50. It is obvious that a new film of ink is presented to the face of the type at each revolution of the rollers, in consequence of which a new film is deposited, thereby doing away with the necessity of carrying produce the desired effect. The possible arrangements of the tubing are almost without limit. Also the tracks which have the function of cams for the various roller tems may be formed with depressed portions arranged in any desired manner. and substitution of one pair of tracks for an other may readily be made in the manner already indicated so as to thereby confine the color printing done by ach form roller to a desired section of the type.

I claim:

1. In combination with a printing press provided with a rack. a reciprocable carriage in operative re ation to the rack. a plurality of systems of inking rollers mounted in the carriage. each system being a unit and comprising a first composition roller. a metallic roller in contact therewith, and a inking rollers forming a single system are second composition form roller in contact upon the face of the tyne, a. positive drivlng connection between each of the rollers, a gear mounted on the carriage in mesh with 4. v

the rack and arranged to drive the roller sys tem, an inking roller in proximity to the I first composition roller, tension means tending normally to hold the said composition roller in contact with the inking roller and also to maintain the form roller in contact with. the type, and positively acting means adapted to shift the system of inking rollers at desired intervals in the travel of the carriage across the type to thereby remove the form roller from contact therewith, and also to remove the composition roller from contact with the inking roller, each of the systerms of inking rollers being similarly constructed and having similar but independent operation, substantially as described. Y

2. In combination with a printing press, a carriage adapted for reciprocation thereon, a chase mounted on the press, a plurality of tracks arranged in parallelism upon opposite sides of the chase, each track be ing formed with a depression having a prearranged length and location to provide in effect a. cam, an ink supply mounted on the carriage, and means for transferring the ink to the type including a device arranged to engage the tracks and peri lit-ting a trans fer of the ink only when the device is seated within said depressions therein, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a printing press, a carriage adapted for reciprocation thereon, an ink supply mounted on the carriage. and a means for transferring the ink to the type comprising a system of contacting rollers, bearing plates in which the rollers are mounted, a pivotal support inthe carriage for thebearing lates, means for normally holding'one roller in operative relation to the ink supply and another roller in, operative relation to the type, andme-ans for tilting the bearing plates at desired points in the travel of the carriage to thereby remove one inking roller from operative relation with the type and another from operative relation with the ink supply, substantially as described.

4:. In combination with a printing press, a carriage adapted for reciprocation thereon, a system of printing rollers mounted in the carriage and arranged to deliver ink to the type, a rotatable ink roller mounted in the carriage, and a block surrounding the roller for the maj or portion of its periphery, there being in the block an ink slot communicating with the roller, one of the slot edges adjacent the roller being relatively sharp to provide a knife edge, the surfaces of the block surrounding the roller being also formed with a series of oblique grooves some slanting one way and some the other, and each independent of the rest, whereby the ink is distributed through such grooves from One end of the inking roller to the other, the knife edge acting to remove the overplus of ink when the roller'is revolved in one direction, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a printing press, a carriage adapted for reciprocation thereon, a system of inking rollers mounted on the carriage, one rollerthe form rollerbeing arranged to transfer ink to the type, a pair of wheels idly mounted on the form roller near opposite ends thereof, a chase mounted on the press, tracks for the form wheels arranged on opposite sides of the chase, there being depressions in the tracks at desired intervals into which the wheels may lower, the roller system being pivotally held as a unit so as to tilt with each lowering of the form wheels in the track depressions to thereby move the form roller into contact with the type, and means for delivering ink to the roller system only when the form roller is in Contact with, the type, substantially as described.

6. In combination with a printing press, a carriage adapted for reciprocation thereon, and means detachably secured within the carriage adapted to transfer a plurality of different colored inks to certain selected portions of the type as the carriage is recipro'cated upon the press, said means act-' ing also to shut oil the supply of each color of ink except when the same is in process of transfer to the type, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a printing press, means for delivering ink to the type including two inking rollers, a system of'transfer nection between all of the transfer rollers of both systems, and means for moving either system of rollers toward and from, the type and simultaneously toward and from .its associated inking roller without affecting the driving connection with the other roller system, substantially as described.

8. In combination with a printing press, means for inking the form including an inking roller, a composition roller in contact therewith, a metallic roller in contact with the composition roller, and a second composition roller in contact with the metallic roller and adapted to engage the form, means for positively rotating the two composition rollers and metallic roller therebetween, and means for moving the form roller relative to the type, substantially as described.-

9. In combination with a printing press, means for inking the form including an inking roller, a systemof transfer rollers arranged adjacent thereto, a mounting for said system as a unit comprising bearing plates movably arranged with respect to the inking roller and to the form whereby the roller system may simultaneously be brought into contact with thetype and inking roller or be disengaged therefrom, substantially as described. a

10. In combination with a printing press, means for inking the form including two inking rollers, a system of transfer rollers in operative relation to each inking roller, one of said transfer rollers in each system being arranged operatively to the form, means for moving both systems of inking rollers relative to the form, a common driving connection between all the transfer rollers of both systems, and means'for moving either roller system into or out of engage ment with the form and its associated inking roller without affecting the driving connection with the other rollersysteimsubstantially as described.

, HERMAN A. AGRICOLA, JR. Witness:

. W. F. Cnussnnnn. 

